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    Home » Grocer to Table » Homemade Thousand Island Dressing Recipe

    Homemade Thousand Island Dressing Recipe

    Posted on March 27, 2018 By Beth Neels

    393 shares
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    Have you ever made your own Thousand Island Dressing? Once you try this Thousand Island Dressing Recipe, you will never buy the stuff from the grocery store again!!

    thousand island dressing in half pint jar on wooden board with blue napkin
    Homemade Thousand Island Dressing Recipe

    Origins of Thousand Island Dressing

    Anyone who has ever visited the gorgeous Thousand Island, in Upstate NY, has tried 1000 Island Dressing. Depending on what island you visited, you probably got different versions of the story of who created the popular dressing.

    It is reported that George Boldt, the builder of Boldt castle and propietor of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, in NYC, had his chef put it on the menu at the Hotel. But that is one of many stories. To learn more, see this Wikipedia article.

    The beauty of making your own classic Thousand Island is that I can guarantee you that you have all of the ingredients that you will need in your refrigerator and pantry. Guaranteed. It only has 8 ingredients plus salt and pepper.

    Thousand Island Dressing is similar to Russian Dressing except the Russian version has horseradish and chili powder making it spicy. Thousand Island has sweet pickle relish, making it sweeter.

    close up thousand isalnd dressing in jar

    You need to hard boil an egg, which will take approximately 10 minutes with a large egg. Once that is done, this Thousand Island Recipe comes together in less than 5 minutes. What could be easier?

    There are no weird added ingredients that you can’t pronounce. It is gluten and dairy free, so don’t have to worry about reading the ingredients to make sure that there are none of those allergens, too. You control the sodium, as well.

    What you need

    • fresh garlic
    • kosher salt or sea salt
    • onion – use white or yellow onions
    • mayonnaise – use a good quality mayo. Duke’s or Hellmann’s or a comparable mayo.
    • ketchup
    • lemon juice
    • sweet pickle relish
    • hard boiled egg
    • celery seed
    • black pepper – freshly ground will give you the best flavor.

    How to Make Thousand Island Dressing

    Mince garlic very fine.

    Minced garlic on board with a little salt.
    Mince garlic add a pinch of salt.

    Add a pinch of salt to garlic. Flatten with the edge of your chef’s knife, pressing hard, over and over until a thick paste forms. Chopping and pressing alternately will speed up the process.

    Pasted garlic on board with knife.
    Paste garlic.

    Chop onion very fine.

    Minced onion and pasted garlic on cutting board.
    Mice onion fine.

    Mix garlic, onion, minced egg, ketchup, mayonnaise, lemon juice and spices in a small bowl. Refrigerate 30 minutes, so flavors can mingle.

    All ingredients added to bowl.
    Push egg through a fine mesh sieve. Add remaining ingredients. Mix well.

    Chill for at least an hour to allow flavors to mingle.

    Store leftover Thousand Island Dressing in covered container in refrigerator.

    How Long Will Thousand Island Dressing Last?

    Thousand Island Dressing will last at least 10 days, covered, in refrigerator.

    thousand island dressing in jar with salad

    How to use this sauce

    Thousand Island Dressing is used for more than to dress salads.

    • Use it as a burger or hot dog topping. (It happens to be McDonald’s “secret sauce” for their Big Macs, reportedly.)
    • It’s indispensable Reuben Sandwiches, Reuben Salads and this Reuben Dip.
    • It’s a perfect dip for French fries or sweet potato fries.
    • Use it as a dip for fresh vegetables.

    I store it in canning jars. (affiliate link)

    More delicious homemade dressings

    • Blackberry Vinaigrette
    • Garlic Scape Vinaigrette
    • Chive Vinaigrette
    • Rhubarb Vinaigrette

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    If you try this recipe, let me know how you like it in the comments below! I would love to hear from you!
    Also, don’t forget to FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest!

    Thanks for stopping by today! I hope this recipe for Thousand Island was helpful to you!

    Enjoy! And have fun cooking!

    Binky’s Signature
    Thousand Island dressing in jar.

    Thousand Island Dressing

    This Thousand Island Dressing Recipe is so easy! You definitely have all of the ingredients in your pantry!
    See Step by Step Photos Above!Most of our recipes have step by step photos and videos! Also helpful tips so that you can make it perfectly the first time and every time! Scroll up to see them!
    5 from 10 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Condiment
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 10 servings
    Calories: 133kcal
    Author: Beth Neels
    Cost: $1

    Ingredients

    • 1/2 large clove garlic minced
    • 1/4 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
    • 1 1/2 tablespoon finely minced onion
    • 3/4 c. mayonnaise
    • 3-4 tablespoon ketchup
    • 1 teaspoon lemon juice, fresh or bottled
    • 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
    • 1/2 large hard boiled egg pushed through fine mesh sieve
    • 1/2 teaspoon celery seed
    • 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
    • Fresh ground black pepper to taste

    Instructions

    • Hard boil egg. Place egg in small saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to boil. Once water is at a full rolling boil, remove from heat and allow to sit for 10 minutes. Then run cold water into the pan to cool the egg. Once the egg has cooled, push 1/2 of it through fine mesh strainer.
    • Make a paste with the garlic and salt by crushing the garlic with the side of your knife.
    • Mix all ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly. Place in refrigerator. Can be stored for 4 days in refrigerator.
    canning jars- Half Pint
    mixing bowls
    measuring spoons
    Fine Mesh Sieve
    See all of my favorite tools and gift ideas on my New Amazon Store!Check out Binky’s Amazon Store!

    Notes

    Mash egg with fork or pastry cutter before pressing through sieve.
    Press egg through sieve with the back of a wooden spoon.
    Refrigerate promptly.
    Will last at least 7 days in air tight container, in refrigerator.
    Do not freeze.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 133kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 222mg | Potassium: 19mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 70IU | Vitamin C: 0.6mg | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 0.1mg
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    This post may contain affiliate links, which means I get a small commission if you go to the link and purchase something, at no additional cost to you. See FTC Disclosure, here.

    Originally published January 1, 2015. Updated with new content June 26, 2022

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    393 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Victoria

      June 11, 2021 at 10:18 pm

      Made this using my homemade ketchup and it was outstanding – guest loved it
      Thank you so much for sharing your recipe

      Reply
      • Beth Neels

        June 12, 2021 at 1:32 pm

        Thanks Victoria! I’m so pleased that you and your guests liked it. Thank you for checking out the recipe.

        Reply
    2. Riya Panday

      June 07, 2018 at 6:11 am

      Great taste. Not sweet tasting as bottled dressings sold in the store. Easy to make and I love it.

      Reply
      • Binky

        June 07, 2018 at 10:21 am

        Thank you so much, Riya! I’m glad you enjoy it!

        Reply
    3. Jake`

      April 02, 2018 at 11:19 am

      5 stars
      Delicious on reubens!

      Reply
      • Binky

        April 02, 2018 at 4:46 pm

        You’ve got that right! Thanks, Jake!!

        Reply
    4. Laura

      March 28, 2018 at 12:32 am

      5 stars
      Yes, true. I have all the ingredient in the cupboard, except ketchup which I never buy. SOOOO, I am making this for Easter

      Reply
      • Binky

        March 28, 2018 at 12:20 pm

        We don’t use a lot of ketchup either but I always have it for those summer picnics where Americans put ketchup on EVERYTHING! Thanks for your comment, Laura! I hope your family enjoys it!

        Reply
    5. Gabby | The Tolerant Table

      March 27, 2018 at 7:05 pm

      5 stars
      That’s so super simple Beth! I’ve never made my own but I’m going to try this. I love that there are no nasties in there!

      Reply
      • Binky

        March 28, 2018 at 12:22 pm

        It really is easy, Gabby! It’s so much better than the store bought stuff! Thank you so much for your comment!

        Reply
    6. Melve

      March 27, 2018 at 2:26 pm

      5 stars
      Thanks for sharing, Homemade Thousand Island Dressing Recipe is healthy and delicious and I think the kids will love this on their sandwiches.

      Reply
      • Binky

        March 27, 2018 at 3:27 pm

        My kids love it as well! Thank you for your comment, Melve!

        Reply
    7. Sandra Shaffer

      March 27, 2018 at 2:19 pm

      5 stars
      Nothing is better than homemade dressing! I just made salmon patties and I’ve been eating them in salads. This dressing will be perfect. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Binky

        March 27, 2018 at 3:28 pm

        I agree! I love homemade dressings. It would be totally awesome with salmon patties on salad, for sure!! Thanks, Sandra!

        Reply
    8. Nicole

      March 27, 2018 at 1:11 pm

      5 stars
      I’m all for making dressings and sauces from scratch! As its homemade I wont mind my kids using it so liberally!

      Reply
      • Binky

        March 27, 2018 at 1:26 pm

        Haha! That’s very true, Nicole! Thanks for your comment!

        Reply
    9. Elizabeth

      March 27, 2018 at 1:04 pm

      I LOVE homemade dressings–they taste so much better than store-bought! I had no idea Thousand Island was made with a hard-boiled egg, but I’m anxious to give this a try soon!

      Reply
      • Binky

        March 27, 2018 at 1:11 pm

        Yes, traditionally it was made with an egg. It gives it a nice thick body! Thank you, Elizabeth!

        Reply
    10. Chris

      March 27, 2018 at 12:53 pm

      5 stars
      I’ve always wanted to find a great thousand island dressing and I think I’ve just found a winner! Thanks so much for sharing 🙂

      Reply
      • Binky

        March 27, 2018 at 1:10 pm

        Thanks so much, Chris! Enjoy! Let me know how you like it!!

        Reply
    11. Ben Myhre

      March 27, 2018 at 12:30 pm

      5 stars
      I love it. I haven’t seen a TI dressing recipe yet, but now this is definitely on my to try list. This looks great!

      Reply
      • Binky

        March 27, 2018 at 1:09 pm

        Thanks, Ben! I’m glad this helped! Do try it, you’ll love it!!

        Reply
    12. Claudia Lamascolo

      March 27, 2018 at 12:07 pm

      you are so creative. Homemade Thousand Island? I would have never thought to make it and with the ease of your recipe I cant wait to try this!

      Reply
      • Binky

        March 27, 2018 at 1:08 pm

        You will love it, Claudia! Let me know! Thank you!

        Reply
    13. Natalie

      March 27, 2018 at 12:00 pm

      5 stars
      I love making homemade dressings and dips – it’s always a better choice over store-bought ones. Your thousand island dressing looks and sounds delicious!

      Reply
      • Binky

        March 27, 2018 at 1:08 pm

        Thanks so much, Natalie! I love making my own too! Far superior!

        Reply

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    Welcome! Thanks for stopping by! I am Beth "Binky" Neels, wife, mother of 2 boys and 3 dogs! I will impart tips and tricks I have learned over the years, to make cooking easier and fun for you!

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    Welcome! Thanks for stopping by! I am Beth "Binky" Neels, wife, mother of 2 boys and 3 dogs! I will impart tips and tricks I have learned over the years, to make cooking easier and fun for you!

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